BOOK REVIEWS meteorites are dealt with only briefly. The major portion of the hook is devoted to a well-organized survey of astrophysical abundance determinations. Some of the
Stellar Atmospheres, Ahundances from Cosmic Rays, and Compositional Differences between Stars. Two chapters dealing with general abundance compilations and theories of the origin of the elements are used by the author to bring
together the wide variety of data presented and relate it to current theories of element synthesis in stars. This approach to the subject of elernentd ahundanees is quite different than that used by Cherdyntsev. The latter reviewed sstrophysical determinations only briefly, while discussing terrestrial and some meteoritic abundance8 a t length. Therefore, these books are not repetitious, as a simple inspection of titles might suggest. Aller has presented in this hook baekground material sufficient to guide the non-specialist to an appreciation of the problems in astrophysical abundance determinations. The book should find use in an academic library a a reference
hook for advanced courses in inorganic chemistry and genchemistry, as well as for researchers in the fields of astrophysics and astronomy. One specific criticism that should be made is that it is difficult to determine the original references for much of the data in the compilations presented. An error has been made in Table 3-2 (Atomic abundancps in meteorites). The values given in the first column are actually those of Urey (revised) and are not those adopted by Suess and Urey (1956), as the column heading would indicate. I n this same table s. second column is headed "Other results" and reference is made t o papers cited p r o viously which contain recent analytical results. I n several cases the abundance listed is not to be found as such in any of the literature cited and may be an interpolation or a selection by the author. If this is the case, i t should be so stated. Also, this column larks references to a number of important meteoritic sbundance determinations of the last several years. The simultaneous appearance of two books in this interdisciplinary field attests to a erowinn interest in this area of rr.irarrll. I t i.i twtunatr th:,~ m1.h apprc~:dw.$tlw prolhn, clitrw~ntly,C l w d\nlsor i l r ~ > r i n g ht.:wily irom the tivld.; of geology and geochemistry and emphssising concepts of nuclear stability and Aller exploring in detail the rontrihutions of astronomy and astrophysirs. refer^ ence t o both books would best acquaint the resei~reherand the student with the problems and importance of this very interesting field.
WILLIAMD. EHMANN Univemity of Kentucky Lezington The Enzymes.
Volume 1
Edited by Paul D. Boyer, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Henry L a d y , University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Karl Myrb(iek, University of Stockholm, Sweden. 2nd ed, revised. Academic Press, Ine., Now York, 1959. xi 785 pp. Figs. and tables. 17 X 23.5 em. $24.
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I n recent years the full force oi physical and physical-organic techniques has been brought to bear on enzymes. This has resulted in an increased love1 of sophistication in eneymology, so that this volume msy justifiably he subtitled, "KineticsThermodynamies-Mechanism-Baaic Properties." The less fashionable question of enzyme purity is not discussed, although the inhomogeneous preparations used limit progress s t least as much as the chemical techniques rtvsilshle. The three first chapters, concerning kinetics, begin with a lucid discussion on The Development of Enzyme Kinetics by H. L. Segal. Unfortunately, the clear, wnsirtcnr nornmr1:atnre wed to prccrnt I~~storiv~IIy sixnifimnt kinetic cuprrcrima throuvhout rhc \ d w n r is nor nlx~ut.~~!w.l The second chapter, byffive authors, presents one modern approach to enzyme kinetics in its full algebraic complexity. (Continued on page A P G )
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BOOK REVIEWS followed by a slightly different interpretation using new nomenclature, coupled with B review of recent work on esterases and including unpublished data. The combination is not successful. Using a definitive monograph t,o introduce new work is especially questionable, since results are presented without documentation and before being subject to critical review. A brief chapter by R. A. Alberty ~rovidesa useful summary of simple kinetic schemes available for interpreting experimental data. The most stimulating chapters are by R. Lumry and by thelato K. U.LindstrgmLang and J. A. Sehellman. Concerned with the relation of protein structure to cit-
tslysis, they provide clear presentations of recent views and are delightful to read because they complement but do not duplicate each other. Enzyme Models b y F. H. Westheimer serves to contrast the relative progress in understanding small molecules, as illustrated by the detailed information avsilable concerning coenzymes, with the prohlems involved in elucidating the "active site" of all-protein enzymes. Structural and Stereospecificity by H. Gutfreund perhaps stresses "100% specificity', too much. Successful theories of enzyme aetian must also explain cases of partial or even inverted specificity, which will become more common as synthetio substrates are used increasingly. The more speculative portion concludes with D. Kashland's presentation of his iruitful views on Mechanisms of Transfer Reactions.
Other informative chapters include Electron Transfer and Enzyme Catalysis by P. George and J. 5. Grillith, Coordinstian, Chelation and Catalysis by R. J. P. Williams, Sulfhydryl and Disulfide Groups af Enzymes by P. D. Boyer and, for complete coverage, Other Reactive Groups of Enzymes by H. Fraenkel-Canrat. Two biologically oriented discussions, Induced Formation of Enzymes by M. R. Pollock and The Control of Enzyme Activity by A. B. Pardee conclude the contents. Lack of correlation betw-een these and the subtitle is compensated by their quality and the importance of the topics. This volume presents general information on enzymes of interest to a wide audience. I t also contains ample discussions of some thoroughly studied systems, including three extensive treatments of acetyl cholinesterase. The casual reader must he warned, that the book is documentary rather than elementary and lack of uniformity in style and nomenclature do not make for easy reading. There is also considerable uncoordinated dupliration of material. Volume 1 of "The Enzymes" provides a wellFindexed reference to work in this field through 1950. GEORGEE . HEIN California Institute of Technology Pasadena The Enzymes.
Volume4
Edited bv Paul D. Bouer. IJniversitv of
Sweden. 2nd ed. Academio Press, 631 pp. Inc., New York, 1960. xx Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 cm. $18.
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TheEnrymes.
Volume 5
Edited by Paul D. Boyer, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Henry Lardg, University of Wisconsin, Madison, and Karl Myrbiick, University of Stockholm, Sweden. 2nd ed. Academic Press, Ine., New York, 1961. xix 645 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. $20.
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Unlike the first three volumes of this seven-volume treatise which deal with general principles andinformation common t o many enzymes, Volumes 4 and 5 are devoted exclusively to specific enzymes. Volume 4 coven a major portion of the hydrolases including those acting on peptide bands, other G N bonds, glucosides, carboxyl esters, organophosphorus compounds, and t h e phospholipids. Volume 5 continues with phosphatases, acid anhydride hydrolases, and phosphorylases. The volume concludes with treatments of tho enzymes concerned with the making and breaking of carbon-carbon bonds, isomerisation, and hydration and dehydration. As in the previous edition, the subject matter is partitioned among prominent workers in the respective fields. No attempt is made t o provide an exhaustive compendium of all enzymes and their properties. The choice is restricted to those whose setions or properties have been well studied. The result is that almost every chapter is a. unified and critical (Continued on page AZ44)
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